Tree Surgery Terms Explained

From Stump Grinding to Crown Lifting, it can sometimes be a little confusing what exactly it is you might need doing to your trees. We can of course identify this for you in a site visit, however if in the meantime you’re interested to know what it might be, read on to learn more about the most common tree surgery terms. 

Tree and Shrub Pruning 

Pruning helps to manage and keep in control the growth and structure of both trees and shrubs. The process of pruning removes dead or diseased stems and branches and encourages the growth of new flowers, fruit and foliage. Pruning is especially important for woody plants, to help ensure they keep growing healthily. 

Hedge Cutting 

Hedge cutting is important for a number of reasons. It helps your hedgerows to bloom and blossom, it stimulates growth, keeps your garden tidy and neat and also stops dead and dying branches from falling on nearby plants or people. 

Stump Grinding 

Stump Grinding is the process of fully removing the stump of a tree using a specialised wood chipper. The stump is ground into mulch that sits a few inches below the soil, with the remainder of the stump left to naturally decay. 

Tree Clearance

Tree Clearance is the process of permanently removing trees and bushes entirely, along with their stumps. 

Tree Canopy

The Tree Canopy refers to the upper layer, meaning the branches, leaves and any other foliage on a woody structure that exceeds 5 feet in height. 

Tree Reduction and Thinning 

This refers to the selective removal of certain trees within an area of multiple, to help reduce tree density and encourage the growth and health of the remainder of the trees. 

Tree Surveying 

A Tree Survey is an assessment usually carried out by a qualified Arboriculturist on a tree or selection of trees to understand more information about them. The owners of the grounds can then make informed decisions off the back of this survey. 

Tree Pollarding 

Typically completed on trees that reside in roadside areas or on riverbanks, Tree Pollarding refers to the removal of the full canopy of a tree, taking back to its main branches to form a skeletal structure. After that’s been completed, new shoots will appear from the pruning points to reform the canopy. This process is usually repeated throughout the life of a tree and is usually completed to make the canopy of larger trees smaller and more easy to maintain. 

Crown Reduction 

Crown Reduction involves the removal of growth from every branch within the tree canopy to give the tree a smaller and more natural form. They are usually carried out in relation to percentage, with 25% reduction being a quarter and so on. Reduction can be completed both on the length and width of the tree, with branches being cut down to the second growth of the tree to make it appear more natural. 

Crown Thinning and Cleaning 

Crown Thinning and Cleaning is similar to Crown Reduction and involves reducing the density of the branches by removing the secondary branches throughout a tree evenly. 

Deadwood Removal 

This term is pretty ‘does what it says on the tin’ and involves the removal of dead, dying or diseased branches from the tree. 

Crown Lifting 

Crown Lifting refers to the removal of lower branches to bring the canopy of the tree to a specific height above the ground. 

Coppice

Typically used in woodland management, Coppicing is the reduction of a tree down to ground level, to help facilitate new growth from the stump. Some trees react better to this than others, so it’s good to do some research or get some advice before proceeding. 

Arborists 

An Arborist is someone who is trained in the art and science of planting trees and shrubs and in the care and maintenance of them. 

Arboriculture 

Arboriculture refers to the study, cultivation and management of trees, shrubs, vines and other woody plants. An Arborist studies how these plants grow and respond to their environment. 

Conservation Area

A Conservation Area is determined by local planning authorities as a location of special architecture or local interest. Usually it’s an area where they wish to preserve the character or appearance of it for future generations. If your work falls within a Conversation Area, you need to make a formal application to the relevant authorities to get it approved. This is something you usually have to allow up to 6 weeks for a response to. 

TPO 

Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is an important part of town and country planning in the UK. A TPO can be placed on any tree to protect it, so if you wish to take down a tree that is protected by this, you’ll need to acquire formal written consent from the local planning authorities before proceeding with any work.